It’s widely accepted among Christians today, that God is a part of what is known as “the trinity,” but what do Christians mean when they use the word trinity, and why do they ask others if they believe in it?
How should you respond if someone asked you if you believe in the trinity? Well, how should you respond if a Christian asked you if you believed in anything?
We should ask where it is written in scripture. It is our responsibility as Christians to test everything, and only hold on to the good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. NKJV
Why should we test everything? Are there false teachers today? Most certainly!
2 Peter 2:1-3
2 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. NKJV
There are false teachers today and notice that “many will follow them” (verse 2 above). Not only will many people follow them, but they will also speak well of them (Luke 6:26 below). Imagine that.
Luke 6:26
26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets. NKJV
Therefore, never believe that many followers, and gracious words spoken about a particular preacher amounts to God’s approval because it very well could signify the opposite. Those approved by God to teach, never speak to please men, or use flattering words (1 Thessalonians 2:4-6). Nor do they seek glory from men. Check it!
Christians are not supposed to put up with false teachings, but we do. Think about this. What did you do the last time you heard something preached that wasn’t exactly right? You put up with it because that is what you were expected to do in a church gathering, but that’s wrong.
2 Corinthians 11:3-4
3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted — you may well put up with it! NKJV
Christians don’t just put up with false doctrines. That’s how they spread. However, human nature teaches us that if “that’s how we do it,” then that’s how we do it.
Christians should follow God’s instructions rather than conforming to how the people of this world do things. So, how should Christians respond in a godly way to the question, “Do you believe in the trinity?”
We have to test it before we hold on to it (1 Thessalonians 5:21). We start by asking where trinity is written in scripture. That way we can see how God expects us to respond to such a question.
The answer is that trinity is not written in scripture. It may be contained in the foot notes of a study Bible, but it’s not written in the verses, unless it was added by a man’s interpretation. So, why would we need to use it, or believe in it?
Is there a good reason to use the word trinity, outside of the fact that millions of people use it? Could millions of Christians be wrong?
On the other hand, are there any reasons why Christians should not use the word trinity, outside of the fact that it is not written in scripture?
If we ignored how many Christians use the word trinity, what other reasons are there to use it, and believe in it?
Christians use the word trinity to describe God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Rather than mentioning all of the verses that confirm what they believe, they have agreed to use a single word to describe it; “trinity”.
How can that be wrong? It doesn’t seem wrong, but again, what does God instruct Christians to do?
If we ignored the fact that the word trinity is not written in scripture, what other reasons do we have that support not using it?
The first reason that comes to mind is that the word trinity (3) leaves the Word of God out. What do I mean by that?
If you believed the scriptures, then you would believe that the Word itself was God (John 1:1), and is one with God according to 1 John 5:7 (below). You would believe that the Word is also Spirit (John 6:63 below), and it is able to sanctify us (John 17:17 below), and build us up and give us an inheritance (Acts 20:32 below). Not to mention that the Word itself is alive (Hebrews 4:12 below), and the Word became Jesus (John 1:14 below).
Therefore, if I was going to make up a word that would describe the godhead, I would make it equal to four, and not three, since the Word is also God, Jesus, and Spirit.
John 1:1-3
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. NKJV
1 John 5:7
7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. NKJV
John 6:63
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. NKJV
John 17:17
17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. NKJV
Acts 20:32
32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. NKJV
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. NKJV
John 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. NKJV
The second reason that comes to mind if we ignored the fact that the word trinity is not written in scripture, is that the word trinity is beyond what is written in the Bible, and we are instructed not to go beyond what is written, or add to the Word of God.
Trinity sounds good, and seems right, and it may have some spiritual meaning, but in order to live by faith, we cannot go beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6 below), or add to what is written (Proverbs 30:5-6 below).
1 Corinthians 4:6
6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. NKJV
Proverbs 30:5-6
5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. 6 Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. NKJV
If we decided to do what God wanted us to do in accordance with His Word, then we would not add the word trinity to scripture, even if the godliest man on earth told us that it was okay. It just doesn’t pass the test (1 Thessalonians 5:21 above).
Why? The bottom line is that the word trinity violates the scriptures above. It is “beyond what is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6 above), and it is an addition to what is written (Proverbs 30:5 above).
No, it’s not like they are asking you to believe in the devil, but it still violates our instructions found in scripture. Remember Eve? Everything seemed right, but the one thing that got her was that she ignored God’s instructions.
When everything seems right, but you got to ignore God’s instructions in order to do it, then don’t do it, no matter how many people tell you that it is okay. Above all, trust God.
What’s so wrong with quoting the scriptures that we believe in, and asking fellow Christians if they believe those verses rather than forcing them to believe in a word that is not written in our Bibles? We should believe all scripture, so why not just quote the verses instead of using a man-made word to describe them?
If someone has been called by God to preach, or to teach, then God expects them to preach His Word (2 Timothy 4:1-2 below), since the knowledge of God is the only thing needed for this life (2 Peter 1:2-4 below), and the Word of God is the only thing God’s people need in order to turn from darkness (Jeremiah 23:22 below).
2 Timothy 4:1-2
1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. NKJV
2 Peter 1:2-4
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. NKJV
Jeremiah 23:22
22 But if they had stood in My counsel, And had caused My people to hear My words, Then they would have turned them from their evil way And from the evil of their doings. NKJV
God is looking for someone who is willing to speak His Word to His people. Therefore, if we need instructions on any subject, then we are looking to hear directly from God through His Word, or in the least from someone who knows what God has said.
You might be thinking that God may give special wisdom to someone, and that could be true, but at the same time, is it okay for them to go against God’s Word? Is God divided? No, the one whom God sends will speak His Word.
John 3:34
34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. NKJV
According to Jeremiah 23:22 (above) if they stand in God’s counsel, they will speak God’s Word to His people. Besides, God does not need human wisdom mixed in with His Word to help us understand it, like some have come to believe.
No, the exact opposite is true. The less human wisdom mixed in with the scriptures, the more power.
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. NKJV
Words of human wisdom make the cross of Christ of no effect. Contrary to popular belief, God is not looking for the wisest human to lead His people. Check the scriptures below for yourself.
Luke 10:21
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. NKJV
1 Corinthians 1:19-20
19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? NKJV
1 Corinthians 1:26-29
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. NKJV
As I said, God is not looking for the wisest human to lead His people, but someone who is willing to preach and teach His Word. In fact, the only reason to distort God’s Word is to draw disciples after ourselves; build our own crowds.
Acts 20:29-32
29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. NKJV
The Apostle Paul warned the people of Ephesus for three years that after he left, men would rise up and distort the truth in order to draw disciples after themselves.
That’s why the word trinity is used today; to keep Christians who use it from gathering with Christians who refuse to use it. Both groups may even use the same Bible, and believe all of the verses that are used to defend using the word trinity, but “believing in the trinity” has become a man-made tradition that keeps them separate.
I’m alan ballou; a servant. I believe every word in my Bible, and with the spirit of faith I speak in accordance with what is written. You cannot say the same thing and use the word trinity, since it violates Proverbs 30:5-6, and 1 Corinthians 4:6. You would have to ignore those verses to justify using the word trinity.
2 Corinthians 4:13
13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, NKJV
Consider that in order to be righteous by faith, we are called to speak in line with the faith and believe in our hearts (Romans 10:6-10).
Farewell
